The association between disability and mortality among children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Maureen Moyo-Chilufya, Arthemon Nguweneza, Sara Rotenberg et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined all-cause mortality among children and adolescents with disabilities compared to non-disabled peers, analyzing 29 studies with over 35 million participants. The findings revealed that children with disabilities had a 5.31-fold higher mortality rate. The association was particularly pronounced in younger children and those with neurological disabilities.
Key findings
- Children with disabilities had a 5.31-fold higher all-cause mortality than peers without disabilities.
- Younger children (0-5 years) had a hazard ratio of 7.51 for mortality.
- Children aged 6-19 years had a hazard ratio of 4.68 for mortality.
- Children with neurological disabilities faced the highest risk, with a hazard ratio of 11.71.
Why it matters
Understanding the increased mortality risk among children with disabilities is crucial for public health initiatives and resource allocation. It highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in survival rates.
What to keep in mind
Interpretation is limited by substantial heterogeneity among studies and varying methods of disability ascertainment.